OOTD And Culinary Delights 10/6/13

I thought the day after my birthday would be anticlimatic. Kind of like the day after Christmas where all the magic's worn off and you realize it won't be Christmas again for a whole other year. But no, I am noticing that each day has it's own special set of surprises, problems, and blessings.

We started out the day in Stanfield, OR, drove to Grand View, WA to deliver, then headed to Yakima, WA to spend the night. Now, I have been featuring several of our meals recently, but I swear we do not eat this well normally, nor do we eat out all thaf often. Normally its snacks and microwave meals from Walmart for us. Not the healthiest or tastiest options, but sometimes the only one if we have to stay at a shipper/receiver or a truckstop without a restaurant.

Fortunately this evening's accomodations happened to be right next to an Outback Steakhouse. We had actually never eaten at an Outback previously; the nearest one to our home was 45 min away, and we just never bothered (we are Olive Garden people.) I can honestly say now that we were missing out! This was one of the most mind blowing dining experiences we've ever had on the road. It was so good that we penny pinchers didn't even flinch at the astronomical bill. We figured we were buying not just food, but also happy memories. We had lovely conversation and treated it like an early 5th wedding anniversary celebration. I recommend celebrating life whenever and wherever you can!

You must by now be drooling at the thought of our mouth watering meal, but before those pics comes what I wore.

Sweater: One Clothing thrifted $4

Blue lace cami: Walmart $4.88

Jeggings: Walmart $5.88

Scarf: Wet Seal $3

Gold Ballet Flats: H&M thrifted $3

Gold Braided Headband: Walmart $1.66

Wing Earrings: Walmart

Now for the main course!

Love the complimentary freshly baked bread!

We couldn't resist getting the famous Bloomin' Onion appetizer. Crispy battered bites of heaven!

I got the 6 oz filet with lobster tail, fries, and steamed veggies. Delightful!

DH got Mahi with artichoke, sundried tomatoes, green beans, and a loaded baked potato. Delish!

We proceeded to stagger back to our truck in a food induced stupor and stay up until 3 am watching The Walking Dead because we had to switch from a day schedule to a night schedule. Best night I've had in a while...

Thanks for looking! G'Day Mates! :)

Life: Birthday Edition 10/5/13

Well, today was the day, the big 2-4. I suppose I spent it a bit unconventionally, as birthdays go. No cake flickering with candles, no shiny wrapped gifts or doting  family members. As much as I miss my friends and family traditions, I've actually managed to have a grand old time today!

I dressed up in my beautiful new (mostly thrifted) OOTD, and actually bothered to do makeup today, so I felt fabulous.

These are the previously mentioned items:

Rue 21Teal Cardigan: Thrifted $8.

Mossimo Shirtdress: Thrifted $5

H&M Basics Gray Tshirt Dress (underneath): Thrifted $4

Fleece Lined Leggings: Ross $5.99

Faded Glory Riding Boots: Walmart: $29.87.

Here's a bonus FOTD (face of the day.)

The products used are all easily found drugstore items.

Mabelline The Falsies Mascara.

Wet'n'Wild Eyeshadow Trio in "I'm Feeling Retro."

Mabelline Dream Matte Foundation

Garnier Undereye Concealer Rollerball

Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso."

Revlon Lip Butter in "Strawberry Shortcake."

All that looking good may not have been that fun if I didn't have anywhere to go out. Fortunately, timing had us driving right by Boise, ID, where we know of a truck stop next to a great little place...

Mongolian Noodle House! For those if you that have never experiencex this culinary pleasure, they put out a buffet of raw ingredients; fresh veggies, meats, noodles and sauces. You pile whatever you like in a heaping bowl and hand it over to the Chef.

This is how they cook it:

This is how you eat it: OMNOMNOM!

This is how you pack up your leftovers:

Thank you. That is all.

Walmart Haul and OOTD: 10/4/13

More sucessful early birthday shopping! I went to Walmart in search of those items I had previously posted to my fall wish list. Unfortunately, I did not find any of those beautiful dresses or coats I was looking for, and I have not been able to confirm via the website whether they are online only. I tried on the olive skinny jeans; they only had ONE pair in olive left in the entire store! That shows you how popular they are, but they were one size too small on me. If my size had been in stock, I would have snapped them right up. I bought olive leggings instead, super comfy. The chambray shirt was a fail. The shirt itself was fine; I just do not care for that look on me, despite how trendy they are. Finally, they were also out of my size in the mustard cardigan that I wanted. The other colors were fab, but I already have other similarly colored cardis. This may sound like a lot of disappointments, but I'm actually happy with the items I DID end up with!

Here's what I got:

George Gray Leopard Print Cardigan $12.88

I did not find a link to this on line, but it looks similar to this one:

Faded Glory Women's Plus-Size Essential Knit Legging $7.97

(They do not look wrinkled when worn.)

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=D35B04375E9FA0E76A876A0FA621FF2B#ip/Faded-Glory-Women-s-Plus-Size-Essential-Knit-Legging/27163652?type=search27163653

Two Pack George Skinny Belts in Nude and Burgundy $8.

Again, not on Walmart's website, but here are two similar belts:

Faded Glory Women's Snaz Riding Boots $29.87

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=9F3B5D4DE0E28E08A71BE24BC5A85A05#ip/Faded-Glory-Women-s-Snaz-Riding-Boot/24796999?type=shop-by-department

Leopard Print Scarf (prices vary by store.)

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=9F3B5D4DE0E28E08A71BE24BC5A85A05#ip/Leopard-Print-Scarf/28191205?type=search

Here's my OOTD utilizing several of these pieces.

Thrifting Haul 10/3/13

Did some early B-day shopping at Desert Industries Thrift Store in West Valley City, UT while the Dear Husband and I were stopped at the company's main terminal to have our truck's computer system worked on. Let me tell you, birthday karma must have been with me, because I found a lot!

My shopping OOTD:

Asymetrical Waterfall Cardi: thrifted $4

Plum Striped Tank: thrifted $2.95

Plum Scarf: Walmart $3

Dark Wash Skinny Jeans: Walmart $18.88

Usual Boots: Payless

Usual rings :)

Here's the haul! Sorry for the bad lighting in the pics. Getting good photos in a big rig is next to impossible. These items look so much better in person! 4 new name brand sweaters, 3 shirtdresses, 3 tops, 1 pair of ballet flats and 4 books for $50. (For comparison, 3 items from Old Navy on sale and with an extra 25% off coupon cost me $45.)

This is my favorite: DKNY Asymetrical Wrap Cardigan $4.

Fuschia Merona For Target Scoopneck Sweater $4

Rue 21 Teal Knit Cardigan $8

One Clothing Striped Sweater $3

Mossimo Target Floral Shirtdress $5

Sonoma Plaid Shirtdress $4

H&M Basics Gray Tshirt Dress $3

Fashion Bug Aztec Print Top $4

Old Navy Tissue Thin V-Neck Tee $2

Faded Glory Long Sleeved Striped Tee $4

H&M Gold Ballet Flats $3

I am so excited to create OOTD's with these new pieces! Lots to look forward to this week.

Also a highlight, my early birthday dinner at Chili's. Not normally my favorite restaurant, but it was within walking distance of truck parking, lol. DH got the baby back ribs, of course, and I got the grilled sirloin with garlic lime shrimp. We forgot to take pics of the food before our ravenous noshing, but let me assure you, it tasted and looked as good as it sounds. I did manage to take a pic of my SCRUMPTIOUS blackberry margarita though. Cheers!

(No alchohol for the Driver, he had strawberry lemonade.)

Thanks for looking!

Taco Brunch

Now for the other highlight of my days FOOD!

This is fine Mexican cuisine trucker style. This clever little number doubles as our kitchen/dining/office table. It is conveniently located in our kitchen/office/bedroom/living room. Aren't you envious? This meal was technically our first of the day, but was eaten at lunch time, so I will call it Taco Brunch.

Outside of Mexico, my home state of California produces the best Mexican food, hands down. Since we don't have the luxury of hitting up all our favorite spots in CA regularly, tacos from this taco truck located across the street from Love's Travel Stop in Burley, ID have become a close second favorite. If you have never tried taco truck tacos, I beg you, find one now! Those who grew up in western or southwestern states know what I'm talking about. Don't be a food snob; their nickname of "roach coach" is undeserved. Use your best judgement, of course, but every taco truck I've visited served perfectly safe, filling, and DELICIOUS grub. (Thank God for US food saftey regulations.) 

I generally order "Quatro carne asada tacos para todos, por favor."

Loosely translated that's "four beef tacos with everything, please." Don't for get the lime, or jalapènos, if that's your thing. Your choice of salsa verde or salsa rojo, depending on how spicy you like it. Oh, and wash it all down with a nice tall glass of Horchata (cinnamon rice milk beverage). The sweetness really helps to combat the punch of the tacos. You won't regret this. Adiòs!

Recreating OOTD's 10/02/13

Hello again, my pretties. I'm constantly learning what fashion bloggers " should" do, so I will attempt to institute a new regular feature of showing you how to create similar looks to those featured in my OOTD's with items currently in stores.  Doesn't that sound like FUN?! *throws pom poms in air.*

Gray striped shirt: F21

Crochet lace tank: ON

Jeans: Walmart

Head scarf: 99¢ store

Earrings: The Cherokee Gift shop

Gray Moccasins: Minnetonka

Here's the DL on where to buy similar pieces:

Forever 21 Striped Open Front Cardigan $17.80.

http://www.forever21.com/Mobile/Product/Product.aspx?br=mobile&category=FAITH_Sweater&productid=2031557540

Women's Perfect Rib-Knit Tank in Madagascar: $5.00

http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op898490912&dv=0&shopid=1&pdn=oc72091

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Modern Bootcut Jeans: $19.94

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=FC40E4B58241249BC76012F545B3DEE6#ip/Signature-by-Levi-Strauss-Co.-Modern-Mid-Rise-Bootcut-Jeans/21143721?type=shop-by-department

Minnetonka 401 Kiltey Moccasins in Gray: $39.95

http://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/Products/Detail/kilty-suede-moc-hardsole-wide

Vera For Target Wind Flowers Oblong Scarf $9.98

http://m.target.com/p/vera-for-target-reg-wind-flowers-oblong-scarf-multicolor/-/A-14395641

Vintage Bronze Feather Earrings: $17.50

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103082069/vintage-bronze-feather-earrings

Hope you were inspired by this outfit recreation post!

Sayonara!

OOTD's And Such: 9/30/13-10/01/13

Apologies for not posting yesterday's OOTD, well, yesterday. We've been driving through Nebraska and Wyoming, which have a soul crushing lack of mobile internet. Except for little patches in Omaha, Cheyenne, and Laramie (woot woot, shoutout to you guys!) 

Anyway, here is yesterday's obviously stellar OOTD for your viewing pleasure:

Cardi: JCP

Lace top, Plum scarf, Skinny jeans: Walmart

Boots: Payless

I'm totally digging today's OOTD even more though! An aztec print thermal with a black knit beanie AND a chevron head scarf? Why not! I live on the edge, after all. Le front:

Le Back:

Printed thermal, Chevron scarf, leggings: Walmart

Beanie: Forever 21

Boots: Payless

Bird necklace: veryjane.com

And of course there's that reappearing prize claw cocktail ring again! Who would have thought a 50 cent piece of plastic could be so stylish? ;)

One other thing I love today: my new wallet! My previous wallet was 3 years old and grungy beyond help, so I think it was time to put it to rest.

$16.95, genuine leather! If you have a hankering to visit a truck stop, these babies can be purchaced at most Petro Travel Stops. Don't judge me, all you name brand lovers out there; at least I did NOT get the one decked out in giant plastic rhinestones!

Le back:

Inside: (yay, handy dandy mirror!)

Those are my contributions to fashion for the day. Just wanted to say that the hubby and I will be staying in Twin Falls, ID tonight. This would be fine except that we have an 11pm appointment for delivery at a Chobani yogurt plant tonight. A few weeks ago, this same plant took a record breaking 28 HOURS to unload and reload us! Let me assure you that even in this business, where trucker's time is constantly wasted, this was highly unusual. That's a day of my life I can never get back. I am currently praying, bargaining, and pleading that it will not take as long this time. So the next time you dip a spoon into your greek yogurt (I'm a Yoplait girl, btw) send some good thank you vibes our way please. :)

There is a slogan that goes: "If you bought it, a trucker brought it."

On a better note, here is a part of Twin Falls I DO like. Snake River Canyon.

Caio!